120 Fahrenheit: Why Morrow Was Fired
May 20th, 2008 . By: Buzz Carrick
I will say right out of the gate that I was totally caught off guard by Morrow’s firing. I thought the combination of HSG, the youth of the team, the short time Morrow had been around, and the good start would have kept him safe for most of the year. So first thing I did was get Morrow on the phone to try and find out what the hell happened and he was as surprised as I was.
I’ll try and learn more over the coming days, but for now that leaves us to look at Hitchcock’s quotes from the press conference to try and determine what happened. First let’s consider the context. It’s important, I think, to recall that we’re talking about a Hunt Sports Group team. They don’t fire people as a rule, they usually just let contracts run out. They tend to give coaches plenty of time to fix things that they created. This is an unusual firing and out of character for them. Second, while there has been a bad run of form of late, the team is still basically .500. That’s not bad when you consider the youth that Morrow is going with, and don’t forget how well the team was playing earlier in the year. That’s the youth that Hitch said in today’s press conference he was backing Morrow to run with. I for one predicted a streaky start with stumbles because of it and the pieces we all know are missing. If Hitch was expecting a smooth out of the gate charge to the top of the table then he didn’t play close enough attention to this team. They are still missing a striker and maybe a defender, which the front office should shoulder as much of the blame for as Morrow. And just over one season is a ludicrously short time for a coach to put together a team and get it going like he wants, particularly a young team. Just earlier this year our friend Tobias Lopez wrote about Morrow needing another year on his contract to give him any real shot at getting the team to the top. Third is the Alvial firing. Why would you fire a coach for not getting along with the party line of your staff then turn around and fire said staff two days later? In no way do I buy the lost locker room garbage that has been floating around this week in the wake of the Alvial firing. One or two upset players does not a lost locker room make. There have also been some rumors of a couple fights between players this last week, but that happens in pro teams when winning, it gets way worse when losing. I will remind everyone of Oscar Pareja even got into a fight once after training. In a hyper competitive world of pro sports players get mad and fight each other, especially when losing. It happens far more than you would think, perhaps 4 or 5 times a season that I know about, so there are probably even more. Even Hitch said that kind of off field stuff was a non-issue and the firing was not about that. So that brings us to why the decision was made and here’s where the quote from Hitch becoming telling. These are all from the press conference.
and…
and when asked if FCD had lost 1-0 to LA rather than 5-1 would have he have still made this call…
and…
and style of coach?
Hitch is under some serious pressure to sell tickets and fill up Pizza Hut Park. And that what he talks about today; performance, style, winning at home, big crowds, and selling tickets. Hitch talked about wanting a different kind of leadership but wouldn’t go into the specifics of what he feels is missing. He also wouldn’t clarify what it was that was “going in the wrong direction” beyond the results of the most recent three games. Neither would Hitch talk about what he is looking for in the next coach, who some candidates might be, nor what the time table would be for hiring said coach. There was no discussion of tactics, player selection, nor coaching methods. So it seems clear that the LA 5-1 debacle has cost Morrow his job, which is the opposite of what I thought this morning. I didn’t figure anyone could lose there job from one game. But apparently that’s not the case. Our sources say Hitch is under the gun this year to prove he can deliver what he promised, and that’s sellouts. So the wording of the above comments about laying a stinker in front of the sold out crowd is quite telling. Interestingly just this week we posted two bits about attendance and FCD records. One comparing Clarke and Morrow, and one comparing Pizza Hut Park to the Cotton Bowl. Combine that with the odd timing of the firing and I am left quite convinced that Hitch told the Hunts he needs a coach that can deliver big wins in front of big crowds. I think Hitch sees the writing on the wall and if he’s going down, he wants to go down swinging. So if that’s the case and Hitch is under immense pressure, which I don’t doubt. (Even if you don’t believe our sources I think this firing tells us that. ) Then perhaps it’s not a shock Hitch pulled the trigger this early. If he really only has one season then he’s gotta do something fast to try and save his tenure as General Manager. Perhaps we shouldn’t blame Hitch then for this move, perhaps he deserves the chance to pull the rabbit out of the hat.
So where does that leave FCD? With a GM who just fired the coach he brought in and convinced the owners to hire, still under the gun to sell ticket and win. But yet Hitch is out of contract at the end of the year and our sources say in a lame duck status with the owners. So what coach in the right mind would take this job? It’s one of the lower paying jobs in the MLS hierarchy anyway, the GM is likely to change, and there is a apparently a technical director in waiting out there in the wings. Talk about zero job security. Any coach worth his salt is going to want two or three years guaranteed. When was the last time the HSG did that? I don’t think Jeffries, Clarke, nor Morrow ever had that kind of deal. It’s always one year plus one year HSG option. I’ll tell you one thing, which ever way it goes the next few weeks will be very interesting. 28 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
I’ll coach them for 100k! I wouldn’t think a few thousand bucks difference would make a coach hesitant to take the job. How much does a long tenured college coach make? I can’t imagine it being more than 200k
You have to include sneaker contracts and summer camps. A big time college coach probably clears around $400k.
Color me scared. Will we bring in some high-priced old guys to try and ensure another mid-table, one-playoff-series-and-out season? I may not have agreed with Morrow’s tactics, but any coach who comes in should recognize this team’s strength is in its young players and plan accordingly.
But this still doesn’t answer the question of the team quitting on Sunday. I mean, c’mon, that was beyond embarrassing and clearly–in part–a thrown game by some of the players.
A Buddle hat trick with defenders standing still? Laughable.
It’s gotta be Oscar. He’s the fan favorite and the BEST MAN for the job.
Completely agree w/ everything Buzz wrote above.
As an FCD fan I wonder why so many contributors to this blog/website
spend so much energy condemning players, coaches and the front office.
It is precisely in times of trouble and controversy that the team, players
and coaches alike, want and need the fan’s unqualified support? Let’s
stop all this speculation and let them focus on the next game.
I think Morrow got caught in a perfect storm. Had he won the 3 games prior (which, he should have won convincingly) and then been spanked by LA, he would still be the coach. That being said, I feel horrible for SM.
The big question that I have is who is responsible for this roster? If he told Hitch and ownership that he was good to go with what he had, then he has no one to blame but himself. If Hitch and ownership told SM “here’s you cards, now dealt with it”, then SM got screwed big time. We all had concerns with this team going into the season. The hardcore fans were all over these blogs disusing the weaknesses of this squad, which have all been exposed as we said they would. How is Hitch surprised? Unless SM told Hitch he could win with what he had.
Buzz,
If you are able to speak with Morrow again, I think the most important questions to ask is, Who is responsible for this roster?, and what did you realistically expect from this team?
I’m bothered by Hitch’s comments about attractive game & style of play.
On a big field, in the Texas heat you have to play ball control. Going for style points was why Clarke was never successful. We should try to play like Houston plays - ball control & emphasis on defense. That’s how playoff games are won also.
I think given time Morrow would have been successful (assuming nothing bad is being hidden from us).
My concern is they’ll get a coach with an attacking style more like Clarke and we’ll be chasing the other team around the field like we did during his tenure.
Buzz,
Thank you for the insight. I agree with Skeeter. Who is driving the ship? We all talk about FCD as an actual organization when in fact is HSG enterprises who (or at least it seems) who’s running the ship. I speculate tha SM and MH are just mere pawns in this entertainment storm. Who is in charge of hiring the ring leader as well as the clowns and animals and daredevils in the three ring circus of PHP?
Would like to hear more from your interview with Morrow, just to hear more about his side of it.
The whole thing stinks to high heaven in my opinion. Morrow was fired for what amounted to a one time blow out, which should never happen.
The last time PHP was stuffed full of people (the Superliga) we had a similar affair - down 4 goals. On that occasion Morrow orchestrated a pretty phenomenal come back.. Yes, we ultimately lost.. and yes at the end of it all I was depressed, but I was entertained.
Unfortunately, the worst part of this is that I think if I were an FCD player, I will be pondering how my lack of conviction and heart led to the demise of my coach.. and while some players won’t give a toss, I’m pretty sure that the majority will feel burdened by that… It will take a very skilled and talented coach to make FCD bounce back from this.
It’s obvious Hitch is a goner. What I want is the good ole Buzz Morrow Translator!
I’m guessing:
“That $%@$% red headed %#$% is a $%#@$% $%#$%!”
What heat is Hitch under? Did the wee Hunts threaten to feed him to Sigi?
Buzz,
All of this earthshaking news begs the question__why isn’t OWNERSHIP visible and vocal on this shakeup? We’re all talking about Hitchcock and Morrow’s hand in this–what about the Hunts? It is my view that they have had a sort of Wizard of Oz silent role in the operations of the club since they took over from Lamar. I just can’t see the owner of any other sports franchise in Dallas not addressing the fans directly through the media on such an important matter.
Fire HSG!!! oh, wait…
But really, though, aren’t we in a big huge mess attendance-wise because of HSG? We killed off our fan base with the SouthLake debacle, then when we finally did build our own stadium it was way out in the boonies, down a toll road. Sure it’s convenient if you live in the northeast corner of the plex, but from anywhere else it sucks. All the other pro sports teams have figured out that if you build in a central location all of your fans will be inconvenienced equally.
SK, getting the PHP stadium AND COMPLEX built anywhere but where it is was not possible as it would have bene prohibitively expensive. The footprint of the stadium and soccer park is massive. Location is not the problem, I live near downtown Dallas and PHP is as close as the new Cowboys stadium or the ballpark.
As for Morrow, right or wrong, I feel bad this happened as he is a good guy. This team has hit a swoon the last 4 games to be sure, but I thought he’d be given the entire season given the youth of the team. I still beleive deep down this team will make the playoffs as the MF can become very strong. We’ll see how it plays out. Best of luck to Steve Morrow.
Timing-wise, it may have been done now as they intend to look at a European based coach who is now in their off-season….
Also, while I don’t think you ever fire a coach for one game the LA loss played a huge part in it. Like many MLS teams FCD is struggling to consistantly have very good attendance. While I think the FCD attendance is good overall it can be better.
When Beckham comes to town the stadium is filled with people that may be there the very first time, only come to one or two games a year, or are marginal supporters FCD is trying to win over. Losing in embarassing fashion does not accomplish this and those key fan targets may never return……unless a message is sent. Mid-season coach firings are usually more about a PR move than anything else.
Given that we have 2 games in the next 7 days, I would have thought they might have “the talk” with Morrow and given him the next 7 days to produce 2 Ws, not draws, but 2 back-to-back home wins, one against our biggest rival, to prove all is not lost.
I think everyone is thinking that Morrow got fired for one game. Its way more than that. Morrow got fired for playing boring defensive football, for having a offensive system that didn’t work for various reasons, and for giving FC Dallas what is probably the most embarrassing defeat in front of its biggest ever home crowd.
To all you people who dream of MLS being like Europe one day: well we just had a good, old fashioned Spanish style hair trigger coach sacking. Enjoy!
I couldn’t be more please, now please just hire a latin-style coach. VOTE OSCAR.
I’ll still throw out (like I did on the other story) that HItchcock should sweep his own porche before he sweeps Morrow’s. Have you ever heard of a halftime contest getting booed? The Radio Disney guy walked out with it 4-0 and shreiked “How about that FC Dallas?” He got booed when he was finished by everyone who wan’t stuck in line at the credit-cardless concession lines. They don’t even put up a sign that says the card machine doesn’t work; you wait in line for 25 minutes only to find out you have to go to the ATM and wait again.
Add to that the sun and heat and the fact that not a single walking drink vendor ever visited section 104 Sunday, and the average, casual DFW sports fan Hitch is so worried about retaining will walk away and say “those clowns can’t even run their stadium right.” Everyone understands a loss on the field. Hitchcock can actually control what happenes on the concourses, but he’s more worried about trying to look like he can control what happens on the field. He’d have to understand it, first.
At least Morrow had a chance of bolstering this squad during the transfer window since he put it together. Someone brand new is starting at zero. Time to write off this season. 48 hours ago I still thought we had a chance.
Location. Location. Location.
I live in NE Dallas and the location is a problem. Also, the rise in ticket prices made it no longer a good deal for a family outing. Yes, I know it’s cheaper than the other pro sports - but I don’t take the family to those either.
Every fan in the country is looking at the atmosphere in the urban stadia (BMO, Toyota, RFK) and wishing we could be a part of it.
The Cotton Bowl felt empty, but the atmosphere seemed better. Maybe I’m just a grumpy old man now, but even the Inferno doesn’t tell players they suck anymore…
LAME.
So yeah, Hitch is up against the wall, but it ain’t his fault. Had we won 5-1 it would still mean a half empty stadium when the Crew comes to town (and they’re good this year). HSG relies too much on sales to youth sports teams and not enough on generating a core of die hards. That “Urban Core” is simply not realistic when playing up in Frisco.
Now, I know the reason HSG went there is all of the revenue generated for the real estate side of the Hunt empire. Too bad the Hunts seem to think they can have that AND a BMO atmosphere. It’s one or the other - even if FCD tallies 65 points and wins the tripple.
I was not yet sold on Morrow as a coach, but I do like the youth core of the team. I would have liked to see Hitch let SM finish the season and evaluate it then.
“but even the Inferno doesn’t tell players they suck anymore…
LAME.”
Huh? I think, Barefoot, you don’t quite know what you are talking about.
I really don’t think location is that big of an issue. I live in Utah and come all the way to Frisco to watch this team play. I think some of the problems started when Morrow got rid of half the team veterans for rookies. Yes, we are a young team but is that really going to help us sooner than 3 years from now when they finally get a feel of what they are doing? We need a solid coach with strong leadership skills that can truly pull this team out of the slump they seem to be in. Maybe playing for a good coach will the spark back to this team.
“I’ll still throw out (like I did on the other story) that HItchcock should sweep his own porche before he sweeps Morrow’s. Have you ever heard of a halftime contest getting booed?”
Jaime, you nailed it here. I was quite upset after the game — but not really because of the loss (that just put me in a bad mood). I was angry and QUITE upset because:
a) they blocked off parking exits, so two huge lots had to exit through ONE exit . . . it took 30 minutes to get out of the parking lot (but only about 10 to get onto Main St. and on our way). They do not usually have the other exits tied off — that was STUPID.
b) They have changed the camera lens policy. It used to be that lenses under 12″ were permitted. Now they have to be under 5″. I didn’t have a problem on Sunday, but a guy behind us almost didn’t get in because of it. Well, we have a zoom that is less than 5″, so I’ll use that lens & camera next time, but that REALLY made me mad when I found that out. Taking photos is part of my “FCD Gameday Experience” (NOT jumping in bounce houses). And after the team was losing so bad, I amused myself with taking photos of whoever came close to section 104. So this really irritates me — I mean, is FCD so popular that they need to limit fans photos (other than on Beckham Days)?? Oh, and I got a great shot of DB, but I didn’t even need the zoom, because he was right near section 104.
And c) I have already been annoyed that they don’t open the gates (normally — Sunday as an exception) until an hour before the game starts. Last year they opened them at least an hour and a half early. And I like to get there early to get food, drink,etc, out of the way and just enjoy being in the stadium.
So I had already been less than satisfied by management’s decisions this year. Add to it stupid halftime program (I tried to ignore it) and snafus like you mentioned (I didn’t bother with concessions once the game started).
I am finding quite a bit more than just a losing team to be disappointed in. In fact, provided the team shows some effort from now on, I can live with their results. It’s the dumb management decisions that are making us rethink our season tickets. And firing Morrow — when Hitch seems like at least half the problem to me — has made me very upset. At him.
Morrow should have been fired and the team blown up after the playoff debacle in Houston last fall, starting with Alvarez. Hitch and the Hunts gave Morrow and the team another chance this season and they blew it. The LA loss was the last straw.
They lost me as a fan last fall. Now this is Hitch’s last chance. If he does not make a good hire, get rid of the malcontents, and make a playoff run, he will not get fans like me back. Robertson Stadium is not as nice as the Hut, but they know how to play as a team, on the field and off.
We need to stop getting all these old “seasoned” players from foreign countries (paying them big bucks) and start getting hard working players with sharp skills from our own DFW area…. I’m 100% sure a top knotch player from this area would take half the pay check Ricchetti or Davino make and could have showed way better… I hate landon donovan (but yes he is the most fit player in the league it seems), but he made Davino and the rest of or team look like stationary cones on that beautiful PHP surface. FCD needs an adjustment SOON
nothing will change until HSG has sold FC Dallas. This is all trickle down even though I’m pissed Morrow is gone. I never really felt they had a full deck at the beginning of the season… HSG = Cheap though HSG have done miracles for the game in the US… time to change though. HSG brought it to the masses now time to refine it with another group of owners.
P.S. Maybe LA is becoming a team to be reckoned with… but we were so flat footed. It did look thrown.
[...] never did give my opinion on the Morrow firing, but it is the same as Buzz’s and Steve Davis’ and I think there is no reason to keep beating a dead horse. Although I will [...]